The Best Home Security Systems in Santa Barbara County, CA
Are you looking for the best home security systems in Santa Barbara County, CA? Using Crime Grade's exceptional crime data that is accurate down to the neighborhood, we have analyzed Santa Barbara County, CA home security system options in a way no other source has been able to do. See why
A property crime is committed in Santa Barbara County every 21 minutes, and nationwide, your home is 300% more likely to be burglarized without a home security system. Santa Barbara County experiences 53.44 property crimes per 1000 people and 30.41 incidents of vandalism per 1000 people in the typical year. A home security system will protect you when you’re at home or away, 24 hours a day.
Home Security Companies Available in Santa Barbara County, CA
Best Overall
Simplisafe
We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Santa Barbara County. The combination of a high amount of renters (44%) and education level (36% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
Best Reputation
ADT
Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
Affordable Option
Ring
Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Do You Need a Home Security System in Santa Barbara County, CA?
Choosing a home security system can seem overwhelming. We’re here to help break down what to consider when living in Santa Barbara County, CA. We’ll compare different crime rates and weather along with advanced features that make you feel safer and make your life easier.
Why Crime Grade?
Crime Grade has the most robust and accurate nationwide crime model available. In addition, our data is granular enough to identify and compare crime statistics to the neighborhood level. This puts us in the unique position of being able to evaluate the home security needs of people in a particular county rather than making a general assessment. So read on to see what's unique about Santa Barbara County, CA and our home security system recommendations that result from that.
Property Crime in Santa Barbara County, CA
Our analysis gives Santa Barbara County a property crime grade of: F. Santa Barbara County is in the 93rd percentile of safety, meaning 93% of cities in California are safer and 7% are more dangerous. Please visit our Santa Barbara County crime map for details on how this is calculated and what it means.
Crime Grades
Property crime is highest in the southern part of Santa Barbara County, with your chances of being a victim of 1 in 11. Compare this to the eastern part of the county, where crime is lower, and your chances of being a victim are 1 in 107.
D-
F |
|
F |
|
Other Crime Grade |
D |
A crime occurs every 10 minutes (on average) in Santa Barbara County, CA.
Your home is 300% more likely to be robbed with no home security system.
So, is Santa Barbara County safe? Compared to all of California, Santa Barbara County is rated less safe than the average California county, which has a property crime rate of 37.66 per 1000. Looking at burglary, we see a different pattern, where Santa Barbara County, with its burglary rate of 7.494 per 1000, is as safe as the average California county.
In addition, Santa Barbara County is higher than other counties with similar populations for property crime. The table below shows property crime rates and level of occurrence in Santa Barbara County, CA.
Crime Type |
Crime Rate (per 1000 residents) |
Avg Number of Crimes per year in Santa Barbara County, CA |
Avg Crimes Committed Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|
Theft |
41.04 |
18,659 |
358.8 |
Vehicle Theft |
4.411 |
2,005 |
38.6 |
Burglary |
7.494 |
3,407 |
65.5 |
Arson |
0.4992 |
227 |
4.4 |
Weather and Climate in Santa Barbara County, CA
As strange as it might sound, some home security system features can be more or less important based on the climate you live in.
Home Security Fire Sensors in Santa Barbara County, CA
Hotter temperatures can lead to higher risk of fires in the home. The average temperature in Santa Barbara County, CA is 57.00 degrees, reaching 86.70 degrees in the hottest months like September & August. This temperature has increased compared to 1990, when the hottest month reached 78.15 degrees in September.
Home age is another factor in determining fire risk, primarily due to electrical issues. The average home in Santa Barbara County was built in 1976, which is older than the national average of 1978 and is much older than the average home in California build in 1977.
Between colder seasonal temperatures and newer homes in Santa Barbara County, you can judge how important fire sensors and immediate response may be. A combination of smoke detectors, CO2 sensors, and fire alarms connected to a home security system can make that response as swift as possible, whether you’re at work or on vacation.
Home Security Flood Sensors in Santa Barbara County, CA
With the risk of flooding and burst pipes, a flood sensor can alert you and authorities as soon as possible. Even a few hours make the difference between an easy restoration and long-term water damage.
Home Security Freeze Sensors in Santa Barbara County, CA
The year a home was constructed can also contribute to the risk of damage from cold weather. The average home in Santa Barbara County is 47 years old, and seasonal temperature changes have had much more time to cause stress on the home compared to the average California home that's 46 years old and more time than the national average of a 45-year-old home.
Temperature fluctuations will weaken the structure and foundation of the home, cold temperatures can cause pipes to leak or burst, and if it snows that can cause additional stress on the roof. However, freeze sensors are not an expensive addon. After assessing your Santa Barbara County home, you can make a more informed decision if they would be a suitable addition to your home security system.
Cost of Home Security Systems in Santa Barbara County, CA
To identify the final cost of a home security system for your Santa Barbara County home, we must determine some of your preferences.
Self-Monitored or Professionally Monitored?
Any home security system you pick will offer a selection of equipment including entry sensors, cameras, etc. The question is, do you actually want to self-monitor your system? If like 43.78% (196,243) of people in Santa Barbara County, you are a renter, you might prefer a self-monitored home security system. On the other hand, 56.22% or 251,986 of Santa Barbara County residents own their homes and may be more likely to consider a professionally monitored system to protect their property.
Whether you rent or buy, how well can you monitor your system on your own? For example, if you're one of the 76% of people who commute an average of 25 minutes to work in or around Santa Barbara County, can you immediately receive notifications on your phone, check cameras in meetings or while working, and call the police if needed?
If not, you might want a professionally monitored system where a company is available 24/7 to respond, whether on vacation or at work. Please see our comprehensive guide on the best home security systems for a complete comparison.
Self-Installed vs. Professional Installation
Most providers have great self-installation options, so if you're handy or tech-savvy, like the 7% of Santa Barbara County residents working in computer engineering and science, self-installation can be a great option.
Alternatively, when your security system is installed professionally, you can ensure that your equipment is placed correctly and will function without any problems. That peace of mind is valuable for people willing to spend the extra money.
Residents of Santa Barbara County tend to have a higher median household income than nearby counties, earning $96,867 annually. In addition, 36.4% of residents have a college degree or higher, compared to 32.9% in the United States.
If you're a homeowner, do you have more to protect? The median home value in Santa Barbara County is $754,785. Compared to the median home value in California of $648,235, your home value will probably be higher. With their larger lots, single-family homes tend to be more isolated from view and a tempting target for burglars.
Find an in-depth review of installation options in our best home security systems guide.
Police Stations Near Santa Barbara County, CA
There are 69 police stations within the boundaries of Santa Barbara County, and 1 within 5 miles. Within 50 miles of the Santa Barbara County center, there are 54 police stations. Compared to other counties, police response times in Santa Barbara County may be about average. When response times are fairly typical, every second your security system saves in reporting a crime will improve the police response.
| County Of Santa Barbara 1745 Micaion Drive # East Solvang, CA 93463 (805) 686-5000 |
Santa Barbara County Sheriff 140 West Highway 246 Buellton, CA 93427 (805) 686-8150 |
Lompoc Police Department 107 Civic Center Plaza Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 736-2341 |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Near Santa Barbara County, CA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Santa Barbara County, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yavapai County, AZ | A- | A+ | more safe |
| Valencia County, NM | A | A | more safe |
| Parmer County, TX | C- | C+ | more safe |
| Castro County, TX | C | C | more safe |
| Swisher County, TX | C | B- | more safe |
| Hall County, TX | D- | D | about as safe |
| Harmon County, OK | C+ | B+ | more safe |
| Jackson County, OK | C- | D- | more safe |
| Comanche County, OK | F | F | about as safe |
| Stephens County, OK | D | D+ | more safe |
Home Security and Property Crime in Counties Similar to Santa Barbara County, CA
Nearby County | Property Crime Grade | Overall Crime Grade | Safer than Santa Barbara County, CA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anoka County, MN | C+ | C+ | more safe |
| Bell County, TX | B- | B | more safe |
| Berks County, PA | B- | B- | more safe |
| Brazoria County, TX | C- | C | more safe |
| Burlington County, NJ | B+ | D- | more safe |
| Butler County, OH | F | F | about as safe |
| Camden County, NJ | B- | B | more safe |
| Morris County, NJ | A+ | A+ | more safe |
| Pulaski County, AR | B- | B- | more safe |
| Prince William County, VA | D- | D- | about as safe |
Summarizing Home Security Considerations in Santa Barbara County, CA
Deciding whether you need a home security system in Santa Barbara County, CA can be a complicated decision. We've used distrinctive property crime statistics and varying environment factors about the county to help us make an objective recommendation for most residents. Leveraging CrimeGrade.org's uniquely robust and granular crime data, we've scrutinized the options for home security systems, tailoring them to the unique needs and context of Santa Barbara County residents.
Combining the property crime Grades, demographic information, and local climate conditions for advanced home security features gives us some companies that stand out.
Simplisafe, ADT, and Ring have emerged as the top choices for Santa Barbara County residents due to their distinctive offerings and reliability, each appealing to varied preferences and budget ranges of homeowners and renters alike. Notably, factors such as Santa Barbara County's climate, housing age, and average income levels further steer the home security considerations.
Property Crime Insights
- A property crime occurs approximately every 21 minutes in Santa Barbara County.
- The county experiences 53.44 property crimes and 30.41 vandalism insidents per 1,000 people annually.
- Santa Barbara County's property crime grade stands at an 'F', comparably less safe than other California {{place_type__plural_lower}}.
Noteworthy Security Companies
- Simplisafe: We believe Simplisafe is the best home security system for residents of Santa Barbara County. The combination of a high amount of renters (44%) and education level (36% of residents have a college degree) makes Simplisafe our top pick.
- ADT: Compelling history and top quality security and smart home products. If you're willing to pay for it, you will get a top notch product.
- Ring: Ring Alarm is a disrupter whose incredibly low monitoring fees (as low as 1/10th the price of larger and better-known companies) and sharp equipment has already made them a household name.
Climate Considerations for Security
- Fire sensors could be worth considering, since the average temperature reaches 86.70 degrees in the peak months of September & August.
Self vs. Professional Monitoring & Installation
- 43.78% of Santa Barbara County residents are renters, potentially inclining towards self-monitored systems.
- Given the 76% of commuters, professional monitoring might offer valuable peace of mind.
- Considering Santa Barbara County's higher household median income of $96,867 and 36.4% college-degree holding populace, investment in professional installation and advanced system features might be favorable.
Local Police Presence
- Santa Barbara County hosts 69 police stations within it's borders, potentially influencing response times.